1837-1873 Half Dime Seated Liberty F/VF

"Five" or "One Half" of the Other?

This half dime was the first silver coin authorized by a United States congressional act. Interestingly, the half dime actually circulated at the same time as a 5-cent nickel. Why? We're not sure. But we do know that even though they were technically five cents, half dimes were not considered "nickels" because they were struck in 90% silver. Struck well over 125 years ago, between 1837 and 1873, this circulated Seated Liberty Half Dime was the last type issued of this strange denomination and is seldom seen today.